Etymology Map
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Prize

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means something awarded to a winner

Where does the word "prize" come from? It comes from Latin pretium, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
pretium
Latin · ancient
"value, price"
the same root as 'price' and 'praise'
2
Stage 2 of 3
pris
Old French · medieval
"reward, value"
a prize taken in war was also 'prise'
3
Stage 3 of 3
prize
English · 1300s
"a reward"
spelled with z from the 1500s to distinguish it from 'price'
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Read the full story

Prize’s story begins in Latin: pretium meant “value, price.” The same root as 'price' and 'praise'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as pris. A prize taken in war was also 'prise'. It reached English by 1300s as prize. Spelled with z from the 1500s to distinguish it from 'price'. Today, prize means something awarded to a winner.